Russian officials cautiously cheer on Trump's victory

Following Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on Nov. 5, several Russian officials voiced support, viewing it as potentially favorable for Russia. Former President Dmitry Medvedev commented that Trump, being a businessman, may resist spending U.S. funds on Ukraine. However, Medvedev noted that a bipartisan anti-Russian stance in the U.S. Congress would still present limitations.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov downplayed any celebration, saying Putin likely won’t congratulate Trump, as the U.S. remains “unfriendly.” Ultra-nationalist Alexander Dugin celebrated Trump’s win, calling it a defeat for globalists, while Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova posted a cryptic congratulatory message.

Russian officials are cautious, with Federation Council Speaker Valentina Matviyenko expressing doubts that Washington’s policies will significantly change. Trump’s past praise for Putin and his stated plan to end the war in Ukraine within "24 hours" have sparked concern among U.S. allies that he may push for concessions benefiting Moscow at Ukraine’s expense.

Russia-Ukraine war can't be stopped overnight- Kremlin reacts to Trump

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov dismissed Donald Trump's claim that he could end the Russia-Ukraine war "within 24 hours," saying that while the U.S. could help resolve the conflict, it’s not feasible to achieve overnight. Trump, who was recently reelected, reiterated his commitment to "stop the wars," but his proposed approach, reportedly involving concessions to Russia, has raised concerns. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also expressed doubt, arguing that Trump’s quick solution would likely entail ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia.

Trump’s suggested policy shift, which may include cutting U.S. aid to Ukraine, could impact the American economy, as the U.S. defense industry has received substantial investment due to aid sent to Ukraine. Zelensky congratulated Trump on his win and expressed hope for continued bipartisan support for Ukraine.

Russia, most of all, will have its and expresseddemands in any negotiations mediated by Trump

They include:
Transfer of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, and Donetsk regions under Russian control.
Buffer zone.
Reparations for the damage caused to the Russian-occupied Donbas.
Guarantees of Ukraine's neutrality outside NATO.

Russians occupied almost 500 sq km of Ukrainian territory in October

According to the Ukrainian DeepState Map project, Russian forces occupied approximately 490 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory in October 2024, marking their highest monthly gain this year. However, the project's analysts caution against viewing territorial gains as the sole indicator of military effectiveness, emphasizing that factors like military industrial capacity, troop training, mechanization, and long-range strike abilities are critical.

While Russia's military has traditionally relied on "cannon fodder" tactics, it has recently improved training, enabling more regular troop rotations. In contrast, Ukraine's capacity for rotation faces challenges, especially as some brigades have been on the front lines since early 2022. Analysts note that although territory matters, sustainable human resources and military capabilities are crucial for long-term resilience and effectiveness.